Greg Oden’s Long Walk Home - Basketball gave Greg Oden everything. Then took it away.

[DGUtley]

Greg Oden’s Long Walk Home


Basketball gave Greg Oden everything. Then took it all away. No one would blame the former no. 1 pick for walking away from a game that brought him so much pain, but Oden simply can’t quit basketball. He still, miraculously, loves it. Now he’s back home again in Indiana, searching for purpose on the sidelines at Butler.





GregGreg Oden is early. Earlier than most of the players he’s about to coach. He steps out of his Denali on this bright, windy February morning in Indianapolis and lumbers into Hinkle Fieldhouse. Shootaround at Butler University’s historic basketball arena doesn’t start for another 45 minutes, but Oden isn’t wasting a second. He takes a seat at the edge of the scorer’s table and studies the practice plan, jotting down notes. Soon, players file in, and Oden breaks out into a giant, jubilant smile, almost humming with excitement, as if the game in five hours is nearing tipoff.

He slips a tiny red mesh jersey over his gray hoodie, which looks like a baby’s bib on his 7-foot frame, barely covering the top of his chest. But he isn’t the least bit bothered; he’s in his element. He joins the scout team on the court, whispering bits of advice to players between sets. He throws down a dunk, soft and clean, offering up a glorious glimmer of the player everyone in this gym, in this city, remembers him to be.


But Oden is mostly known for what came next: After being selected no. 1 overall in the 2007 NBA draft over Kevin Durant, he suffered debilitating knee injuries that prevented him from living up to the Herculean expectations set for him. For years, he carried a burden so heavy it nearly crushed him. Cruel, dehumanizing comments have followed him since: namely that he’s the biggest bust in NBA history.



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https://www.theringer.com/nba/2023/3...=pocket-newtab

[stephenpe]

When I saw him play I just KNEW he was the next Russell. Fla. beat his team twice that year. But he was amazing. I kept wondering why he never starred in the NBA. I figured he would eventually get healthy but like Walton, Grant Hill and that Kentucky center years ago the injuries were too terrible. I really thought Oden was gonna dominate for years. He is obviously a good guy. I wish him well.

[DGUtley]

I seem to recall thinking that he needed another year at OSU to grow and mature physically. Everything that I've read, great kid. I didn't know about his personal struggles. It's nice to see that he's turned it around. Thad Matta is a great guy.

[Tahuyaman]

To be considered “a bust” in any sport, it has to be about your talent and not injuries. Career ending injuries can happen to anyone. That doesn’t make a player a bust.

There’s a long list of players who were considered can’t miss superstars and never injured, but failed to perform. They are busts.

[Bigdog]

Zion Williamson the new Oden imo, both made of glass unfortunately.

[Tahuyaman]

When I think of a bust, I think of a guy like Aaron Curry. He was drafted by the Seahawks with one of the top picks in the NFL draft. He was considered a can’t miss perennial all pro player and a future Hall of Fame type talent. He couldn’t play his way out of tall grass. Complete bust.

Dan McGwire. A 6 foot 8 stud college QB. Destined to be a top rated NFL QB. Complete bust.